The Roman Empire
Domitian


Obverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5
Owner: Kohaku
 
Set Category: Ancients
Set Name: The Roman Empire
Slot Name: Domitian
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Claudius II (213 – 270 AD) was barbarian born, and served in the Roman army for all his adult life. He was extremely strong. For example, in one famous account he knocked the teeth out of a horse’s mouth with one powerful punch. Claudius rose within the military hierarchy, holding several important posts under Emperor Gallienus. In 268 AD, Gallienus was murdered while on campaign (by whom within his camp is subject of debate). True to the fashion of the time, Claudius was then proclaimed Augustus by his troops. His first imperial decree was - ironically - one of mercy: he ordered the lives of Gallienus’ family and supporters be spared, knowing that the Roman Senate was thirsting for blood. Regarding his enemies, Claudius showed no mercy. Not long after becoming Augustus, Claudius won the Battle of Naissus, his greatest victory (and among the most impressive in all Roman military history), wherein he routed a huge Gothic army. This success earned him the nickname “Gothicus” (conqueror of the Goths). Soon thereafter, Claudius dealt with another threat: the Alamanni had crossed the Alps and attacked the empire. Claudius reciprocated rapidly, routing the enemy at the at the Battle of Lake Benacus and earning the title of "Germanicus Maximus." Moreover, he later regained some portions of the Gallic Empire that more than a decade earlier formed a separate, competing realm. Coins were minted with motifs promoting these victories. This particular Claudius antoninianus (or double-denarius) was minted in Rome in 269 AD. The obverse depicts a classic bust for the period: a radiate, draped, and cuirassed Augustus, with his usual epithet. On the reverse is Felicitas (the Roman female embodiment of productivity, blessedness, and happiness) holding a caduceus and a cornucopia, symbolizing military negotiation and prosperity, respectively. Together with the epithet FELICITAS AVG, the coin appropriately advertises the good fortunes of the Augustus Claudius II as a military leader providing for his Empire. While preparing a campaign against the Vandals, Claudius was challenged by another formidable opponent that even he could not defeat: disease. He fell victim to what was most likely smallpox, and died in 270 AD, one of the few Augusti of the era dying of natural causes. Claudius did not quite fulfill his goal of reuniting all the lost territories of the empire. Even so, his efforts set the stage for his military comrade and successor, Aurelian, to break the tailspin of the Crisis of the Third Century and re-establish stability and glory for the Roman Empire. Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Claudius II, 268-270 AD, Minted in 269 AD in Rome, 2nd emission, 2nd phase, Antoninianus (Billon Double-Denarius) (2.39 g, 19 mm, 12 h), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right, IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, Reverse: Felicitas standing left, head left, holding caduceus and cornucopia, FELIC-ITAS AVG, References: RIC V 32 var.; Cohen 79; Sear 5 11331.

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